Time switch device for a digital clock



Nov. 5, 1968 Tosmo KAWATA 3,409,748

TIME SWITCH DEVICE FOR A DIGITAL CLOCK Filed March SO, 1967 5 Sheets-Sheet l I NVE NTOR. sH/o [01W/47,4

/ rro/PNEY Nov. 5,

TOSHIO KAWATA TIME SWITCH DEVICE FOR A DIGITAL CLOCK Filed March 50, 1967 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

SH/o Kaw/9774 rraQ/vfy NOV- 5, 1968 Tosi-no KAWATA 3,409,748

TIME SWITCH DEVICE FOR A DIGITAL CLOCK Filed March 30, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FlGgT I NVE NTOR.

)5SH/o KAw/a TA BMM ` Arm/@var United States Patent O 3,409,748 TIME SWITCH DEVICE FOR A DIGITAL CLOCK Toshio Kawata, 2050 Sakaidecho, Sakaideshi, Japan Filed Mar. 30, 1967, Ser. No. 627,101 9 Claims. (Cl. 200-36) ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE This time switch for a digital clock provides a driving mechanism which includes a continuously rotating disk and this disk, in turn, activating an electrical switch mechanism, This switch mechanism is adjustable to suit particular requirements, and also the switch mechanism may be adjusted with relation to the digital clock. The timed switch device is activated periodically to suit particular requirements.

In a digital clock in which the various time units are placed on a rotating drum, it has been difiicult to provide a timed switch device due to the fact that the time unit drums are intermittently rotated, whereas in my device the driving mechanism moves a continuously rotating disk which, in turn, activates an electrical switch mechanism. Furthermore, the switch actuating mechanism may be adjusted to suit the particular requirements of the time switch with relation to the digital clock.

An object of my invention is to provide an additional structure to a digital clock which will periodically activate a time electric switch.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel timed electrical switch in combination with a digital clock in which the switch mechanism can be manually adjusted as required by the circumstances under which the switch is used.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel time switch device of the character stated, in which relatively little power is required to operate and activate the time switch mechanism. This eliminates requirement of a strong spring or electric motor to drive the clock.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel switch device on a digital clock in which various electrical switches or contacts can be activated to control different electrical appliances, such as an electric sign, an alarm, etc.

Other objects, advantages and features of invention may appear from the accompanying drawings, the subjoined detailed description and the appended claims.

In the drawing FIGURE 1 is a partial vertical sectional view of a time switch device embodying my invention.

FIGURE 2 is an end view of the same as viewed from the line 2--2 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is an end view of one of the time drums as viewed from the line 3-3 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a side elevation of a modified form of time switch control mechanism.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary side elevation of one of the stop mechanisms,

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary side elevation o-f the adjustment linger.

FIGURE 8 is a perspective view in disassembled position of the modified type of switch operating mechanism.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, and espep ICC time drums 3, 4 and 5 are mounted on the shaft 2 and these drums have suitable indicia on their periphery to indicate time units, such as seconds, minutes, hours, etc. The drums 3, 4 and 5 are each provided with hubs 6, 7 and 8 respectively, which are journaled on the shaft 2.

The drums 3, 4 and 5 are each rotated in proper timed relation from a suitable power means or motor 9, which drives the sprocket 10 engaging a gear 11. The gear 11 is journaled on the hub 6 and engages a driving gear 12. This driving gear is attached to the shaft 13 which shaft, in turn, is journaled in the housing 1 as shown. The driving gear 12 engages a gear 14 which is attached to the gear 11, and the gear 12 also engages gear teeth 15 on the drum 3. yA second driving gear 16 is journaled on the shaft 13 and engages gear teeth 17 on the drum 3 and gear teeth 18 on the drum 4. Thus both of these drums are constantly rotated from the power source 9. A third driving gear 19 engages the gear teeth 20 on the drum 4, and also the gear teeth 21 on the drum 5. Thus again the drums 4 and 5 are constantly rotated from the power source 9. The gear 19 is journaled on the shaft 13.

A spool bearing 22 is 4mounted in the housing 1 and the shaft 2 is journaled on the inside of this bearing. A drum 23 is journaled on the outside of the bearing 22 and this last named drum is rotated in the following manner: a gear 24 is attached to the outer end of the shaft 13 and this gear engages a driving gear 25 which is fixedly attached to the drum 23. Thus the drum 23 will constantly rotate with the shaft 13. A flat spring 26 bears against the gear 25 to urge that gear and the drum 23 and the shaft 2 towards the left, as viewed in FIGURE 1. A switch control gear 27 is attached to the left end of the shaft 2 and on the outside of the housing 1, as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2. A pin 28 extends horizontally from the face of the drum 23, and this pin rides against the inner face of the gear 27. A shallow hole or indentation 29 on the inner face of the gear 27 will receive the pin 28 in one position of the gear 27 and the drum 23, that is, as the drum 23 and the gear 27 rotate relative to each other the pin 28 will arrive at a position where it can enter the depression or hole 29. A spring finger 30 is attached at one end to the housing 1 and the other end of the spring bears against the outer left-hand end of the shaft 2, thus urging the shaft towards the right, as viewed in FIGURE l. The spring 30 is stronger than the spring 26 and, consequently, when the pin 28 drops into the hole 29 the shaft 2 will be pushed lengthwise towards the right to close an electrical switch or similar device 31, consisting of a fixed contact 32 and a spring contact 33 which is mounted adjacent to the end of the shaft 2 and is engaged by that shaft, as shown in FIGURE 1.

The gear 27 is also continuously rotated from the power source 9 in the following manner: A horizontal shaft 34 is journaled in the housing 1 and a gear 35 on this shaft engages the gear 36 on the hub 6 of the drum 3. A spur gear 37 on the shaft 34 engages the reduction gear train 38. The gear train 38, in turn, meshes with the gear 27 to constantly rotate the same. The shaft 34 can be manually rotated from the button 39 in order to adjust the gear 27 with relation to the pin 28.

To provide a drive means from the shaft 2 to the drum 3 a clutch 40 is provided and constructed as shown in FIGURE 3. This clutch consists of a thin metallic spring plate 41 which is positioned between one face of the drum 3 and a latch plate 42 which is journaled on the hub 6. The plate 41 is xedly attached to the hub 6 and is provided with lugs 43 which enter appropriate slots 44 in the plate 42 to thus couple the parts 41 and 42 and cause these parts to rotate with the shaft 2. The plate 42 is provided with teeth 44 which enter appropriate notches 45 in the drum 3, thus adjustably coupling the parts 42 with the drum 3 and causing the shaft 2 to rotate with the drum 3 from the power source 9. The clutch, previously described, thus permits the shaft 2 to be positioned relative to the drum 3 at any point throughout 360 and is limited by the notches 45 to provide the required time adjustment.

From the foregoing description it will be evident that the drums 3, 4 and 5 are continuously rotated by the motor 9. Also since the shaft 13 is continuously rotated this will rotate the drum 23. Also since the shaft 2 is rotated the switch control gear 27 is also rotated at a very reduced rate, for example, 1/720 each minute. When the pin 28 drops into the recess 29 the shaft 2 will be moved towards the right to close the switch 32.

In the modification, shown in FIGURES 4 and 5, the clock frame 1 is the same as previously described. The axle 2, as shown in FIGURE 4, is the same as axle 2 in FIGURE l and is journaled in the frame 1 as previously described. An operating shaft 46 is journaled in the frame 1, as shown in FIGURE 5, and this shaft is similar to the shaft 34 previously described. A spring finger 47 is mounted on the shaft 46 to angularly position the shaft 46 to any position which the operator desires. This spring finger holds the shaft 46 in any required adjusted position.

A collar 48 is adjustably mounted on the shaft 46. On rotation of the shaft 46 a finger 49 on the collar 48 engages the bell crank 50 to swing this bell crank. Also a finger 51 on the collar 48 engages the switch lever 52 at the end of the collar 48. A spring switch arm 53 is always pushed towards the left, as viewed in FIGURE 5, to hold the contacts 54-55 closed. Also the switch arm 56 holds the contacts 52 in normal closed position. The switch arm 56 is connected to the wall 1 of the switch housing by an insulated pin 57 which extends through the wall 1 and engages the switch arm 53 to open and close the contacts 54-55. A leaf spring 58 is pivotally mounted on the frame 1, and the upper end of this spring is pushed towards the left, as viewed in FIGURE 4. As shown in FIGURES 6 and 8 the upper part of the leaf spring 58 is formed with a horizontal finger 59 and a vertical finger 60, as well as the stop lug 61. Thus on rotation of the shaft 46 the switch arm56 is moved to open the switch 52 and the contact switch 55. The stop lug 61 is engaged by the buzzer lever 62 in the off position of the buzzer. By rotating the shaft 46 the buzzer can be turned to an on position. When the finger 51 engages the vertical finger 60 the leaf spring 58 moves in a right-hand direction, as viewed in FIGURE 6, and thus the spring 58 is rotated automatically with the set time on the clock. The time setting shaft 2 with the leaf spring 58 is moved towards the right, as viewed in FIG- URE 6, when the shaft 46 is moved to the on position. Otherwise the shaft 2 is moved towards the right, as viewed in FIGURE 6, so that the spring 58 is prevented from engaging the switch level' 56, and also the buzzer lever 62 by the parts 59 and 60.

The buzzer lever 62 is supported in the frame 1 by means of the pivot pin 63. The numeral 64 indicates a vibrator member supported on the frame 1 by means of the rivets 65. The vibrator 64 is vibrated by the iron core 66 of the electric motor which operates the mechanism. Vibration will cease when the finger 67 of the buzzer lever 62 engages the vibrator 64, except when the linger 67 is moved away from the vibrator 64. The lever 62 is engaged by the spring 68 which urges the lever in the direction shown by the arrow 69. The movement of the lever 62 is limited by the stop plate 50, as shown in FIGURE 8. The plate 50 is rotatably mounted on the frame 1 and this plate has a pin 70 thereon which is pushed in the direction of the arrow 71, as shown in FIGURE 8. This is accomplished by means of a spring 72, which spring is stronger than the spring 68 to position the lever 62 against the tension of the spring 68 to normally place the lever 62 in nonbuzzing position,

and while the stop plate 50Y is moved in the position of the arrow 73. This occurs when the lug 74 on the plate 50 is engaged by the arm 49, and when the shaft 46 is manually rotated. When the axle 46 is rotated to the on position, the upper end of the leaf spring 58 is moved in the direction of the arrow 75 by the contacts 52, as shown in FIGURE 5. This swings the switch lever 56 towards the left, as viewed in FIGURE 8, whereby the switch contacts 54-55 are closed. When the shaft 46 is in the off position then the switch lever 56 is swung towards the right, as viewed in FIGURE 8, so that the switch contacts 54-55 are open. When the operating shaft 46 is in automatic this engages the switch lever 56 with the part 59. The switch lever 56 engages the stop 59 when the switch is open and after the lever 56 is once swung to open the switch. Therefore, when the operating shaft 46 is in the automatic position, time shaft 2 is moved to the right as viewed in FIGURE 6 to close the switch contacts 54-55. When the operating shaft 46 is in the buzzer position then the buzzer plate 50 is moved in the direction of the arrow 73 so that the arm 58 is engaged by the stop plate 50 to engage the lbuzzer lever 62. By rotating the operating shaft 46 the switch contacts 54-55 may be opened or closed, or this switching action can be automatically performed as previously described.

Having described my invention, I claim: n

1. A switch device for a digital clock comprislng a housing, a plurality of time drums, means rotatably mounting said drums in the housing and adjacent each other, a driving motor, gear means extending from sald motor to one of said time drums, clutch means in said gear means, drive means engaging adjacent time drums to simultaneously rotate all of the time drums, a tune adjustment shaft journaled in the housing, gear drive means extending from said motor to the time adjustment shaft, a time period drum rotatably mounted adjacent to the time drums, drive means extending from the time adjustment shaft to the time period drum, a switch control gear rotatably mounted adjacent the time period drum, drive means extending from the time adjustment shaft to the switch control gear, an electrical switch, intermittently engageable means on the switch control gear and the time period drum, and actuating means extending from the switch control gear to the switch and operable to open and close said switch.

2. A switch device for digital clock as recited in claimi 1, and said means rotatably mounting said drums in the housing adjacent each other consisting of a shaft journaled in the housing and movable lengthwise thereof, said shaft engaging said switch to actuate the switch.

3. A switch device for a digital clock as recited in claim 1, and said intermittently engageable means on the switch control gear and the time period drum consisting of a pin on the time period drum, and said switch control gear having a recess therein enterable by the pin.

4. A switch device for a digital clock as recited in claim 1, and said means rotatably mounting said drums in the housing adjacent each other consisting of a shaft journaled in the housing and movable lengthwise thereof, said shaft engaging said switch to actuate the switch, and said intermittently engageable means on the switch control gear and the time period drum consisting of a pin on the time period drum, and said switch control gear having a recess therein enterable by the pin.

5. A switch device for a digital clock as recited in claim 1, and said means rotatably mounting said drums in the housing adjacent each other consisting of a shaft journaled in the housing and movable lengthwise thereof, said shaft engaging said switch to actuate the switch, said switch being positioned adjacent one end of said shaft and engageable by the shaft to actuate the switch.

6. A switch device for a digital clock as recited in claim 1, and said means rotatably mounting said drums in the housing adjacent each other consisting of a shaft journaled in the housing and movable lengthwise thereof, said shaft engaging said switch to actuate the switch, said switch being positioned adjacent one end of said shaft and engageable by the shaft to actuate the switch, and said intermittently engageable means on the switch control gear and the time period drum consisting of a pin on the time period drum, and said switch control gear having a recess therein enterable by the pin.

7. A switch device for a digital clock comprising a housing, a plurality of time drums, means rotatably mounting said drums in the housing and adjacent each other, a driving motor, gear means extending from said motor to one of said time drums, drive means engaging adjacent time drums to simultaneously rotate all of the time drums, a time adjustment shaft journaled in the housing, operating means extending from the time adjustment shaft to a switch arm, an electrical switch adjacent said switch arm, means extending from the switch arm to the switch to open and close said switch, and spring means extending to said switch arm to ex said switch arm to actuate the switch.

8. A switch device for a digital clock as recited in claim 7, said time adjustment shaft being manually rotatable, and means extending from the time adjustment shaft to the switch arm to ex said switch arm.

9. A switch device for a digital clock as recited in claim 7, said time adjustment shaft being manually rotatable, and means extending from the time adjustment shaft to the switch arm to iiex said switch arm, and latch means engageable with the switch arm to hold the switch arm in both switch open or switch closed position.

No references cited.

ROBERT K. SCHAEFER, Primary Examiner.

H. O. I ONES, Assistant Examiner. 

